Cricket

[Neo]

Pakistan told to shape up after World Cup flop

by Shahid Hashmi
Fri May 11, 2007

LAHORE, Pakistan (AFP) - The Pakistan Cricket Board Friday ordered the new-look team to get fit and develop a "work ethic" as they bid to recover from their World Cup disaster.

Chairman Nasim Ashraf said the players must behave appropriately and would face contract problems if they did not make fitness gains every month.

"Each of you must behave like professionals and ambassadors of the country," Ashraf told the team during a meeting.

"The PCB will closely monitor the fitness of all the players and expect an improvement on every player on a month-to-month basis," he added.

"The fitness of players will be a major area in monitoring players' central contracts," said Ashraf of the yearly contracts, which will now be performance based.

The 1992 champions looked sloppy and out of touch as they were ousted in the first round of the March-April World Cup following defeats to the West Indies and minnows Ireland.

Their coach Bob Woolmer was also found dead at the team hotel in Jamaica the day after the Ireland defeat. Jamaican police say he was murdered although the investigation has made little headway.

"We all have had learned lessons from the World Cup and now it's time to put them behind us and make a new start," Ashraf said.

"The fame, wealth and standing of players are because they play for their country," he added. "The PCB and its management are developing a new culture and work ethics and players are part of this."

The humiliating exit forced burly skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq to quit one-day cricket and, after vice-captain Younis Khan declined to take the post, the PCB was left to appoint young Shoaib Malik as new captain.

Ashraf, whose resignation following the Cup debacle was rejected by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf -- also the patron of the PCB -- added that he expected more from the team's senior members.

"The senior players need to play their role in building up the youngsters and must wholly support the new captain Malik," said Ashraf.

Malik was assured of support by seniors like batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounders Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq during the meeting.

The PCB chief said Pakistan's fielding, another weak area, must be improved.

"There will be great emphasis on fielding and we must admit that it is not satisfactory. It is up to each player to personally improve fielding which also depends on physical fitness," Ashraf said.

Pakistan are due to take part in a three-match one-day series against Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi in which matches are scheduled for May 18, 20 and 22.

Younis and leg-spinner Danish Kaneria are not available for the series, while fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was still recovering from a knee injury.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070511/wl_sthasia_afp/cricketpaksriashraf_070511145436

 

[Neo]

Asia Cup in Pakistan next year
May 11, 2007

The next edition of the Asia Cup would be held in Pakistan from April 17 to May 3 next year. The tournament was originally scheduled to be held last year, but had to be postponed due to a packed international schedule. "We could not hold the Cup in 2006 as the international calendar was packed. None of the Test playing teams had the time to squeeze in the tourney," Asian Cricket Council Chief Executive Ashraful Huq told PTI. The top ACC official also said the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China, would feature Twenty20 cricket. There would be eight teams, the four Test playing nations India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka - as also four qualifiers from the continent. Huq said, the ACC was giving top priority to inducting China into its fold. The move has been afoot for quite a few years now since Jagmohan Dalmiya's reign as ACC chief. "The biggest job at hand is to get China to play cricket," he said.

http://www.indiadaily.com/breaking_news/89481.asp

 

[Flintlock]

Kirsten to coach India
Sapa-AFP Published:Nov 28, 2007

Former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten will take over as new Indian cricket coach next week, a top cricket board official told AFP yesterday.

Kirsten will join the team on December 3, just two weeks before India leave for Australia to play four Tests and a triangular one-day series also featuring SriLanka.

“We have decided to appoint Kirsten as the coach. A formal announcement will be made in Kolkata,” the official said.

The team will take on Pakistan in the second Test in Kolkata on Friday. Kirsten quit international cricket in 2004 after scoring 7289 runs in 101 Tests. Greg Chappell resigned as Indian coach this year after the World Cup.

 

[aryan2007]

Kirsten to coach India
Sapa-AFP Published:Nov 28, 2007

Former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten will take over as new Indian cricket coach next week, a top cricket board official told AFP yesterday.

Kirsten will join the team on December 3, just two weeks before India leave for Australia to play four Tests and a triangular one-day series also featuring SriLanka.

“We have decided to appoint Kirsten as the coach. A formal announcement will be made in Kolkata,” the official said.

The team will take on Pakistan in the second Test in Kolkata on Friday. Kirsten quit international cricket in 2004 after scoring 7289 runs in 101 Tests. Greg Chappell resigned as Indian coach this year after the World Cup.

He is a great cricketer.. I dunno how good a coach will he be??
I personally would like to see Dave Whatmore as a coach.. he is a genius..

 

[EagleEyes]

Oh the good old Gary.

JpmopzVbtMY[/media] - Shoaib Akhtar vs. Gary Kirsten

 

[EagleEyes]

28Overs*6Balls = 168Balls + 62Runs = 230 Runs < 370+ = Draw = India 1-0 = India wins

Thank you come again

 

[Moin91]

Cricket Australia wants to introduce day-night Test matches

Friday, December 14, 2007
SYDNEY: Cricket Australia says the sport could attract a four-fold increase in television ratings by introducing day-night Test matches within the next decade. CA chief executive James Sutherland confirmed Thursday reports that his organisation was preparing to defy 130 years of tradition by trialling day-night Tests.

The Australian newspaper reported that CA officials were examining the concept of scheduling games from 2pm-9pm or 3pm-10pm rather than the traditional 11am-6pm. Cricket officials claim the move would allow more people to watch at grounds and on television.

Sutherland said CA wanted to trial a day-night Test, although he could not be more specific than saying at some stage over the next decade. The news has met with widespread criticism from fans on talkback radio and newspaper blogging sites.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting is also no fan of the idea because of concerns over the visibility of the ball. Ponting said batsmen would have problems seeing a white ball which often gets discoloured during 50-over innings in limited overs matches.

Ponting, a self-confessed traditionalist, said he and other world captains had often expressed concerns about day-night Tests because of the difficulties batting under lights. “The ball would be one of the biggest issues, I was talking to a few of the (Australian) guys last night about it,” he said.

“Every captains’ meeting I’ve sat in for the past four or five years, captains have been really concerned about playing Tests under lights when the light starts to fade and we’re talking now about playing the majority of a day’s play under lights.”

Sutherland said the reasoning behind CA’s considerations was to make Test cricket contemporary and accessible, and forecast the move would cause a boom in television ratings. “Perhaps we can do some of that analysis just by looking at our TV ratings for Test cricket versus the one-day matches and the second half of one-day matches, which are in the evening,” he said.

“My anecdotal suggestions there would be audiences something like four times what they currently are for Test cricket,” he added. Although Test cricket under lights would be a major break with the game’s history, Sutherland said it was “incredibly important” to preserve the longer form’s traditions.

However, he could not rule out players donning coloured clothing and using a white ball in a Test, although he was opposed to the idea of players wearing microphones like they do in Twenty20 matches played here.

Sutherland denied Test cricket needed rescuing amid the Twenty20 spectator boom, as the traditional longer form of the game was in fantastic shape. It just needed to be taken to more people, he said. “The concept we’re throwing round is designed to ensure the game can reach the biggest possible audience,” Sutherland said.

Day-night Test matches would also be better for viewers in other countries, especially on the subcontinent, and would allow more fans to attend matches, after work and on weekdays, he said.

Critics argue it is unfair to subject teams to an uneven playing field if they had to bat at night on dewy wickets against white balls that become dirty easily, while crowd problems could also be exacerbated given the longer drinking hours.

Sutherland said CA would seek feedback from its players, but was confident the International Cricket Council would support the concept given the boost day-night Tests could prompt in ratings and attendances.


Cricket Australia wants to introduce day-night Test matches

 

[EagleEyes]

I like that.

That would mean One-Day and then skip a day, then repeat one more time.

 

[Introvert]

Australia tour will not move to neutral venue - PCB
December 18, 2007

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made it clear that the home series against Australia will not be shifted to a neutral venue if the tourists decide against visiting Pakistan due to safety concerns. The tour is scheduled for March-April 2008 and includes three Tests, five ODIs and a Twenty20.

"We are confident that the Australians will come and play here according to schedule," Shafqat Naghmi, PCB's chief operating officer, told the News. "Either the series will be played in Pakistan or cancelled but there will be no neutral venue."

Australia's previous tour of Pakistan in 2002-03 was shifted to Colombo and Sharjah due to security issues. Naghmi said that such a move will not be repeated, adding that Pakistan will provide foolproof security to the Australians. Even with that assurance, the Australian board will send a security delegation for a brief visit prior to the tour. Only after that is a final decision likely to be made.

Following months of political turmoil in Pakistan, Darren Lehmann, the Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) president, said recently that the tour would go ahead only if the security reports deem the country safe. "Security is paramount," Lehmann said. "If there's any risk at all the tour might not go ahead, but I'm not saying it won't, it still could. If security say it's fine, we will be going. The players will be guided. [The ACA] are right behind the whole process that's in place. We go and pre-visit."

According to the ICC's Future Tour Programme (FTP), Pakistan are to pay a return visit to Australia in December 2008. "We believe that the Australians will not be at any risk in Pakistan," Naghmi said. "The Australian delegation will come here in January after the general elections and we are confident that they would agree to send their team for the series." The itinerary will be finalised following the security visit.

Cricinfo - Australia tour will not move to neutral venue - PCB

 

[Plasma]

^^Nice to see the PCB show some spine. No need to bend for these pampered cricketers.

 

[roadrunner]

So did Harbhajan call Symonds a monkey or not + if he did, is it justified if it were in retaliation for something Symonds said ?

 

[Proud to be Pakistani]

Clarke spins Aussies to thrilling 16th straight Test win​

(AFP)
6 January 2008

SYDNEY - Part-time spinner Michael Clarke claimed three wickets in five balls of the penultimate over to clinch Australia a dramatic 122-run second Test victory against India and a record-equalling 16th straight Test win here on Sunday.


India had looked to be hanging on for a determined draw, with skipper Anil Kumble leading the way with an unbeaten 45.

But he could only watch from the other end as the last three wickets tumbled in the second-last over to hand Australia an astonishing victory.

Clarke, with his left-arm leg-spinners, claimed 3 for 5 off 11 balls to get Australia home and they will now shoot for a world record 17th straight win in the third Perth Test on January 16-20.

While Clarke may have won Australia a thrilling Test, all-rounder Andrew Symonds was judged man-of-the-match with his unbeaten 162 and 61 and 3-51 in the second innings.

The Australian team fought to the end and ringed the remaining Indian batsmen with six fielders to get a breakthrough after Kumble and Harbhajan Singh looked likely to bat out for the draw.

Clarke removed Harbhajan for seven with his first delivery, had R.P. Singh leg before wicket on the next ball, and then wrapped up an exciting win when Mike Hussey caught last man Ishant Sharma with the fifth ball.

Kumble remained unbeaten but his effort was scuppered at the death.

The Australians retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as holders with a 2-0 lead after a thumping 337-run win in last week’s first Melbourne Test.

Ponting’s team have been undefeated in Tests since beating South Africa by 184 runs at this ground two years ago.

The existing record was set under Ponting’s predecessor, Steve Waugh, from October 1999 to February 2001.

India led by 69 runs on the first innings after centuries by Sachin Tendulkar (154 not out) and V.V.S. Laxman (109), but the Australians finished the stronger over the last two days of the Test to seize victory.

Symonds broke through with two wickets in four balls to put India on the slide after tea.

Rahul Dravid was the victim of a contentious decision by umpire Steve Bucknor who gave him out caught behind even though television replays showed the ball missing Dravid’s bat.

Dravid, who had resisted for almost two and a half hours and 103 balls for 38, looked incredulous at Bucknor as he left the pitch.

Yuvraj Singh continued his woeful series with a third-ball duck edging Symonds into Adam Gilchrist’s gloves in the same over.

Ganguly, who had a let-off on 43 when Michael Clarke fumbled a chest-high chance at slip in Symonds’ following over, fell in Lee’s eighth over when he edged to second slip where Clarke took a catch close to the ground.

Ganguly stood his ground but was sent on his way by umpire Mark Benson for 51 off 56 balls.

Stuart Clark set the wheels in motion with the key wickets of V.V.S. Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar before tea.

The seamer got one to nip back and keep low, trapping Laxman leg before wicket for 20 playing back on to his stumps.

Clark struck again with the crucial scalp of Tendulkar in his fifth over for 12.

Tendulkar, who built his SCG average to a stunning 326 runs following his unbeaten 154 in the first innings, tried to get his bat out of the way only to deflect it on to his stumps.

The small SCG crowd cheered and clapped ‘The Little Master’ all the way off the arena in recognition of his farewell Test at the famous ground.

Opener Wasim Jaffer continued his dismal run of scores in the series with a four-ball duck to Lee in the first over of the innings.

Skipper Ricky Ponting called a halt to Australia’s second innings at 401 for seven, leaving India with a minimum of 72 overs to go after the runs.

Hussey remained unbeaten on 145 off 259 balls with 16 fours at the time of the declaration for his eighth Test hundred and boosted his average to 84.8 in 20 Tests.

Kumble finished with 4-148 off 40 overs and now has 599 Test wickets, while fellow spinner Harbhajan took 2-92 off 33 overs.

Khaleej Times Online - Clarke spins Aussies to thrilling 16th straight Test win

 

[Flintlock]

^^^Once again, the Indians have managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory!!

 

[Tiki Tam Tam]

Doesn't matter.

The replays are interesting to watch!

Also, it appears that India is having the same problem as Pakistan had in England!

But then let the game go on!

 

[Tammy]

Hello you guys,
This is my first note, since I know enough at least to be able to ask a question. I'm not a soldier, just engaged to a Pakistani several of whose relatives are in Pakistan's forces.
Baseball introduced night games a long time ago, under powerful lights; we use a white ball, too, that umpires change as soon as it turns too discolored. Fans love night games, since we can go to the ballpark after work. Dodger Stadium (here in Los Angeles) is lovely as the evening comes down, the sky dark blue and the field bright green, the smell of the hills around, etc. I haven't read that batters have trouble seeing a 95 mph pitch at night any more than in daytime; they sometimes have trouble in twilight, but that problem is brief, and of course the same for both teams.
Know almost nothing about cricket but glad to learn,
Tammy